Giving up on California

[ercastro2]

I've been out of school now for over 8 months and have sent out, at the very least, over 175 applications; have had 4 interviews and more rejections than I can count.

I just don't believe California wants us newly graduated nurses. I have started sending applications out of this state and with in 1 day have already set up an interview... it took me more than 3 months to get my very first interview here in California and they didn't even bother to call me back to let me know I didn't get the position...

I love California and will forever be a Cali girl... but in order to be a nurse I need to go... . Some day I hope to return with over a year experience under my belt... then they'll be knocking down my door

[calinursestudent818]

Just curious, did you try applying for any new grad nurse hospital programs? Also, do you have anything on your resume like hospital or clinic volunteer, hospital intern experience (Not clinicals but actual interning, that you did while you were in RN school), did you shadow any nurses, did you have a mentor? Did you ever do anything in the medical field prior to getting your BSN ie medical assistant, CNA, etc.

So many people say they can't find a job in California & this worries me because I live in Cali, so I've just been curious if a person who has prior experience or did any extra while in RN school if any of that made a difference in finding a job or not. So far from what I've read and observed on various boards, it seems like having a leg up or two or three even, is the only way to get a job as a new grad in Cali. Just graduating and going tada! I'm a nurse now hire me doesn't cut it because there are just too many nurses entering the field. The pattern I am seeing so far is that you have to somehow find a way stand out (way out if you can) from the 1000s of other applicants.

Ofcourse going out of state is a GREAT Plan B because alot of other states are hiring new grad nurses with no experience...that is if you can pick up and move but alot of us can't

Don't give up though! Keep applying! Usually when we are at our wits end is when the right job comes along!

[Testa Rosa, RN]

Face to face hand off of your resume with a nurse introducing you to their manager is more likely to get you an interview over a random computerized application.

And, yes, you do need to be willing to leave the state for awhile. Several of my classmates are coming back to the Bay Area after being far afield for three years (New York, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Texas).

I want to add that I noticed my friends that started their careers in SNF/Rehab facilities had the roughest start. You really need to have good assessment skills and be on your game if you are the only floor RN on PM's at a sub acute facility. But those that survived are just now making the jump into acute med surg per diem (in fact, one got hired because I introduced them to my manager) so the jobs are there for those that have worked the connections. And his pharm and assessment skills rock--he just needed a little refresher with charting, IV skills and acute care protocols.

My friends that left California and got hired into teaching hospitals that had formal new grad programs had a smoother first year with more formal learning and support than I did entering a California hospital that did not have a new grad program (because they had stopped hiring new grads), or my friends working rehab. So if you want the best start go to wherever will put you thru a new grad program.

Over three years after I've graduated I still have classmates that never worked as an RN because they could not leave California.

I hate this trend I've noticed where we import in travelers from other states then hire them over our own home grown new grads.